First Raj of the Sikhs

The Life and Times of Banda Singh Bahadur

By: Harish Dhillon

Narrated by: Gireesh Nair

Length: 9 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's Summary

Banda Singh Bahadur appeared in Sikh history for a relatively short period (1708-1716) but, after the Sikh gurus, influenced it more significantly than any other individual. Banda Singh Bahadur is among the most colourful and fascinating characters in Sikh history. From an ascetic he was transformed into Guru Gobind Singh’s most trusted disciple. So much so that when the seriously injured guru could not lead his Sikh army against the Mughal forces, he appointed Banda Singh Bahadur as his deputy. As proof of this appointment he gave Banda his sword, a mighty bow, arrows from his own quiver, his battle standard and his war drum. 

Banda rode out from Nanded (where Guru Gobind Singh passed away; now in Maharashtra) at the head of a small band of Sikhs, which, by the time it reached the Punjab, had grown into a formidable army. Over the next few years his exploits against the Mughal rulers, both in pitched battles and in skirmishes, became the stuff of legends. He became the first of many legendary Sikh generals famous both for their personal heroic courage and their skill in warfare. His many encounters with the Mughal rulers eroded the very foundation of the Mughal empire and ensured its quick demise. 

As he said when questioned on what he had achieved, ‘I have ensured that never again will the crown sit easily on the Mughal emperor’s head’. He also prepared the coming generations of Sikhs for future conflicts, which later greatly helped Maharaja Ranjit Singh in creating a Sikh empire. 

Banda was a true leader who led from the front, not only in the battlefield but also in civil administration. He established a secular government which swept aside 700 years of slavery and the myth of domination by foreign powers, proclaimed freedom of worship, allowed the people to follow professions of their choice and stopped forcible marriages even while recovering abducted women for return to their families. His land revolution abolished zamindari in parts of North India, thereby redistributing land equally amongst the tillers. 

This book seeks to tell the story of this remarkable and brave man and his equally remarkable achievements. Perhaps the finest of Banda Singh Bahadur’s biographies.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2013 Harish Dhillon (P)2019 Audible, Inc.

One of the rare Sikh books

This book does a spectacular job of laying out the history, the details and the emotions. It connects you to the time of great struggle, and narrates the happenings of that time.

I wish there were more books available on Audible related to life of the gurus and his Sikhs.

so deep and powerful

well narrated and written true story, even if some parts have added flair. great to listen to it and feel inspired.